Vaccine-Induced Thrombocytopenia with Severe Headache

Abstract

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a serious adverse event after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) or Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson–Janssen), is caused by platelet factor 4 (PF4)–dependent, platelet-activating antibodies.^1-3 High-dose immune globulins and anticoagulation are the main treatments.^4,5 In this report, we present evidence that vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia (VIT) without associated cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) or other thromboses and with severe headache as the heraldic symptom may precede VITT (“pre-VITT syndrome”).